Friends' Friday - The girl with Cherry Red Cheeks

 Hi girls! Back with a Friend's Friday and today is a special one. I told you some time ago that I had won a contest with Cherry's Shop, and just before that Minnie and I had placed an order, so I now have plenty of lovely things from that shop to make me happy!!

On the right is the blue layer-cake pendant, and then the two rings and one earring from the contest (my room is a mess, I couldn't find the other earring). Those jewels inspired me for several nail-arts, so get ready for pretty fingers!!

For the layer cake inspiration, I first thought of going for a cupcake nail-art, but dear Camille published it first (biatch :p ), so I tried to reproduce the layer-cake on my nails. The colour I used on the other nails is Essie No More Film, a gorgeous purple-leaning deep blue that applies like a dream and levels itself to a wonderfully glossy finish. For the nail art, I used Mavala white, Kiko 339 and Zoya Kirsten.

 

 

I first applied a coat of white, then place three pieces of striping tape horizontaly and sponged the other colours on my nail. Then I finished by doing an irregular French with the dotting tools and added some blue spots for the blueberries.

For the adorable bow ring, I first did a stamping nail-art on a pale pink polish, but as I told you, those pictures are trapped on my computer. Yesterday, I was wearing Essie Pink a Boo and was struck by how close it was to the ring, so since I had not swatched it yet, I decided to add it to this post.

 

 

Pink a Boo is quite hard to photograph, it has those little blue and pink glass flecks but they don't show as such on the nail, just giving it a nice depth.

Finally came the opal earrings. Marie loves opal nails and I suspect she used China Glaze's Snowglobe (yes, cause Marie also has a beautiful blog) to do the earrings, but I don't have that beauty, so I tried to obtain the same result as best as I could...

 

 

For this I used three coats of Waltz, then one coat of Debby 38 and finished with one coat of Nfu Oh 38. I absolutely loved the result, it's just gorgeous. So if you're as smitten as me by Marie's jewels and her nail-arts, you now know where to go!!

Cherry's Shop - Bijoux et concours

Coucou les filles! Petit post bonus aujourd'hui pour vous montrer les adorations que j'ai reçues par la Poste aujourd'hui, en provenance de la boutique Cherry's Shop. Alors comme vous pouvez vous en douter, les deux paires de boucles d'oreille et le badge (dont j'ai caché le nom, forcément) sont pour Minnie et l'adorable collier bleue est pour moi et je suis ravie. J'ai déjà essayé plusieurs boutiques de bijoux en fimo, mais je dois dire que celle-ci est unique et de très bonne qualité. Marie est extrêmement créative, absolument adorable et super douée. Les envois sont rapides, extrêmement soignés (je craque sur le scotch décoré, c'est juste le détail qui tue!) et c'est un plaisir d'encourager son business!

Je vous ai déjà parlé du concours de la boutique qui se clôt demain, mais si vous craquez vous aussi sur ces adorables créations, voici une autre chance, sur le blog DeToutEtDeRien. Alors à vos clics les filles et que la chance des Leprechauns soit avec vous en ce jour magique!

Sunday Randomness...

Hello! Yep, you're being spoiled, here's another post today, with some random things I felt like sharing (does it show I really don't want to start the weekly cleaning???). First is my nail of the day, take out your sunglasses because it's a very bright one...

OMG, what is this, the Purple Fairy has a right hand??? Yes indeed, my left ring finger has a nasty infection near the nail, so I've had to take pics of the right, and it was quite acrobatic! So neon nails in the grey winter with Urban Decay Woodstock and I have to admit I like it better than I did back in the summer. Neon nails with tanned skin is a bit too much for my taste, but there, it's an antidote against winter-gloom!!

And they match my new Fairy-wand, which I used on me for the first time yesterday: a hair-curler that Minnie bought in London. The saleslady did a complete test on her, it was impressively easy and fast for a beautiful, shiny and long-lasting result so we brought it back with us. It works even on my fine non-compliant hair, though I did it on myself and it's not as easy and pretty as when someone else does it for you, but my hair was still impressively wavy after sleeping on it. I promise you a full review with pictures soon!

Below are some of the things that made me dream this week, you know the kind of "when I'm rich I'll buy that"...

Black suede Vicky Jane by Louboutin. I was actually wondering how much could Louboutin shoes cost so I did a bit of research and fell in love... I was also quite surprised at the prices, in a good way. I'm not saying 650 euros for a pair of shoes is cheap, far, far, far from it, but I expected way more (and those very ones are on sale right now, though still completely out of my means). That's an investment I hope to do one day, one pair of very high-heeled shoes from a very good brand that will be easy to wear, because I love high heels but I'm tired of ruining my feet on cheap brands...

Alchemy Gothic Venetian Mask ring. I have dozens of rings while I usually don't wear any (but that's part of the things I have to change for 2012, no more spending the entire day at home in yoga pants, no make-up and no jewels, juste because I work from home), and yet I'm still falling for more. Don't ask me why this one in particular appeals to me, but I've caught myself staring at it regularly for a long time now...

And then I had a look at the beautiful and ever so tempting shop A Mon Seul Desir, where I saw this. Now this is completely stupid, I'm aware of it: I don't even have the first inkling of possibility of a partner, what the hell would I do with a garter??? But still, it's really lovely... And well, since I already know what dress I'll choose if I ever get married, why not drool on a garter?? (in case you wonder, the dress of my dreams is in this shop... are you surprised?). I'm not the kind of woman to start planning my wedding each time I come across a guy, but dreaming isn't forbidden, right? (and I won't say no to the guy of my dreams if he wants to get married in jeans around a sandwich, or not married at all, it's just for fun!).

To finish, I'll leave you with a very pretty song that I heard again today after years without it: it's part of the old and hard-to-find songs that were on my old computer and got transfered on the new one while it was being repaired.

Have a nice Sunday!

Wyrd Wednesday - Meet my p...

... nooo, I'm not gonna fall for the overdone and not-so-classy joke to talk about Hello Kitty. I know, not a very original subject, and that's quite a big annoyance for me, because I don't like when my tastes are being shared by a lot of people. This summer, I bought this bag, and after a couple of days, wore it with the kitty head near me so that teenagers, salesgirls or anyone else would stop saying "Oh, you're a HK fan? me too, it's so cuuuute!!". That's me and my lovely personality :p.

The thing is that I've always loved having original and funny items as parts of my wardrobe: Warner Bros, Betty Boop, Tex Avery, you name it, I love it. When I was in high school, I learned to embroider only to be able to make my own t-shirts because I couldn't afford the real thing. But t-shirts are not what I prefer. What I really like are adults or classic items with a twist and ever since the European brand that was had the Tex Avery license (Droopy has always been a favourite character of mine) stopped its business, I had to wear normal boring clothes... and then this adorable cat's head started to show up, not only on kid's stuff, but on pretty accessories and clothes, I had to fall in love. What I like about HK is its versatiliy: there are very few other characters that can be found both in kids stores and metal/goth stores, in designer clothes and on cheap H&M stuff, at Claire's Accessories or Swarovski. I love hunting down things that are both my style and HK adorned and with the wide variety in choice and price, I now have quite a collection of HK-related items. I'm not gonna show you all of them, mostly because my room is a complete mess since I'm in the middle of cleaning and summer-clothes/winter-clothes swapping, but I gathered a few things among my favourites and coming from very diverse sources:

My phone-sock, it comes from Claire's latest collection, the tartan/punk theme. On the whole, I'm a bit disappointed by this one, I would have loved a nice handbag or polish set, and the only cute things I could find were this sock and a matching key-ring. Underneath are some items of jewellery. The black 3-D earring (I also have the necklace - oh, and the other earring of course :p ) comes from my favourite manga shop, the owner is super nice and loves to get nice and classy HK things for bargain prices. The two other earrings (also from pairs!!) are from Claire's again, one from a past Halloween collection (two years ago I think) and the other from last winter (it was a gift from Minnie). As for the ring, it comes from the brand Victoria Couture, which I hate because their stuff is super-pretty but costs an eye. Originally, this retailed at 120 euros, and I had it from Ebay at 20 euros... Me loves a good bargain!!

Also from the manga shop, I  have several "shopping bags" which I use to store my clothes in, I keep telling myself I have to use their design to inspire some nail-art, and I will. One day!!

Another of my super bargains, a cashmere sweater from Victoria Couture with HK pictures "à la Warhol" made with rhinestones. I also want to make a matching nail art (actually, I bought LM Cosmetic Moon polish mainly for that!!). Original price was 150 euros, had it for 30: I love Ebay!

A super crazy lucky find: a genuine HK MAC stuffed doll that I found... at the autumn fair last year. Minnie's a queen at the crane game and she got it for me.

And finally for today...

... the "mysterious" item that I started to show on Monday. Last year, to celebrate their respective 50th birthday, Sanrio and Dr Martens teamed up to create a special collection. There were three models of classic 8-eye boots and two models of Mary Jane sandals, this one and one in white, with a blue sole and a red bow. I love having a pair of Mary Janes in winter, both to wear with skirts or shorts and to have some quick-to-put shoes to wear with pants (I adore Dr Martens boots, but hell, you do have to have some time before you can run out!!). So I had a total crush on those from the day I saw them, and I decided to treat myself some weeks ago, after having thrown away my previous Mary Janes. I know they look totally crazy, but actually they're not that hard to wear, and they're super comfy!!

So in the future, when my nails manage to have and keep a good length (one that's comfortable to nail-art on), you will see a kitty head pop up from time to time, don't be surprised ;).

Wyrd Wednesday - Of unicorns, dresses and jewels

This tapestry, the sixth one from the Unicorn Lady series, is one of my favourites work of art ever. Biggest reason, there are unicorns, and I'm completely fascinated with those animals. I actually have a tapestry of one unicorn of this series in my study, and I collect decoration objects inspired by those tapestries and unicorn-related objects and work of art. I'm also always looking for jewels and accessories that are unicorn-related. Since I also indulge in medieval reenactment whenever I have some free time, temptation is big on medieval fairs and markets:

This is now on my study wall!!

We couldn't take pics but there was one of these leather armour that had a unicorn... I'm drooling just thinking of it!!

It was by looking for unicorn-related jewels that I found the shop I want to present you today, but I'll be getting there in a moment. As you can guess, medieval reenactment implies costumes, and while the ones I have might not be historically acurate, I don't care, I love them!! The dress on the left is one I already have (in black and white instead of black and burgundy), and the one on the left is the one that makes me dream at the moment!!

And just like the model on the right, I lovelovelovelove head-dresses (yeah, right, my absolute ideal is Liv Tyler as Arwen, easy to guess :p ). And that is the second reason why I had an absolute crush on a webshop called A mon seul Desir.

If you look back at the tapestry on top, you'll see that "A Mon Seul Desir" is the sentence written on the tent in the tapestry, so I really couldn't resist!! This shop is really my treasure cave and while some articles can seem pricey (the headpieces and hats for example), they really are worth every penny. All the beautiful items are handcrafted by one person and besides being incredibly gifted, she's one of the loveliest person I ever had the pleasure to do business with. Every item is always beautifully wrapped, buying there is really a treat from beginning to end. So of course, I caved in long ago for a diademe  (mine is with white stones instead of pink) and a head-piece: 

And well, I couldn't really pass on some unicorn  beauties, right? The second was actually a gift from my Minnie, isn't she a doll?? 

So whether you like gothic, fantasy, medieval, Alice-related, steampunk and even cosplay jewellery and accessories, I really recommend A Mon Seul Desir. I have asked Constance, the lady behind the treasures, about international shipping and she told me that if anyone wants to order, the easiest way was to email her first to check the shipping costs.

Wyrd Wednesday - Haircare and the Mane 'N Tail Revolution

Online Etymology Dictionary: 

O.E. wyrd "fate, destiny" (n.), lit. "that which comes," from P.Gmc. *wurthis (cf. O.S. wurd, O.H.G. wurt "fate," O.N. urðr "fate, one of the three Norns"), from PIE *wert- "to turn, wind," (cf. Ger. werden, O.E. weorðan "to become"), from base *wer- "to turn, bend". For sense development from "turning" to "becoming," cf. phrase turn into "become." The modern sense of weird developed from M.E. use of weird sisters for the three fates or Norns (in Germanic mythology), the goddesses who controlled human destiny. They were usually portrayed as odd or frightening in appearance, as in "Macbeth," which led to the adj. meaning "odd-looking, uncanny," first recorded 1815.

I've decided to change my title for the Wednesdays, since I will use this section for "everything's that's not strictly nails". The association of wyrd with "uncanny, odd-looking", Norse mythology and the female triad figure makes it a perfect qualification!!

And to continue along the same logic (though this logic might be only in my head!!), today I'm gonna tell you about a very symbolic part of the female body, my hair. I already talked a bit about it when I revealed my Seven Beauty Sins, so you know it's been dyed blue-black for many years now.

But let's start at the beginning. I have a conflicted history with my hair, because it's quite as strong-headed as I am: neither straight nor curly, it remains in an in-between twilight zone. As a result, it requires just as much hairstyling as curly hair, but it's flat and not really thick. It took me a long time to find a style and a routine...

Almost ten years ago, I committed an Unforgivable Sin and cut it very short (Lisa Minnelli short). To summarize, it made me look as if I was 50, my parents adoooooored it, I swore never to cut it again!! So since that day, I endeavoured to make my hair grow while keeping it healthy. Almost ten years later, it's almost down to my bottom so I'm quite happy about that. But still, it's flat and thin. Or it was, until I discovered Mane 'n Tail.

I had read somewhere that the Hollywood secret for hair was a horse shampoo and dismissed it as "Hollywood bs", until I started to see reviews of Mane 'n Tail popping here and there, so I decided to give it a try. And the miracle happened!!! I've been using it for a month or so, and my hair is already unrecognisable, visibly thicker and shinier: whenever I tie it up, I can twist my hairband one less time!

The texture of this shampoo is a bit strange, way thicker and more gooey than usual shampoo, it doesn't really have a smell and when I rince it off, my hair feels so sleek and soft that I forgot my conditioner more than once!

So if the idea of using a shampoo that was originally designed for horses doesn't put you off, I can only recommend joining me in my new club: 

And just to show that this post is not only about beauty products, here's a view of some of the pretty and edgy thing I like to style my hair with. The silver hairpick is decorated with Celtic knots and comes from Ebay, and the dragon hairpick and comb are from Alchemy Gothic: